Seven strategies for career changers

by iced jamb

Research indicates that you will change jobs at least eight times in your lifetime. Other surveys say we change jobs every two years. With that said, a job change every four years is not unrealistic. According to Career Journal, 75 percent of workers are job hunting.

Career changing with purpose is more advantageous than changing for the sake of change. I can think of dozens of people, both well known and not so well known, who have changed jobs/careers to enhance and broaden their life. Basketball players own franchises, pastors become movie producers, and actors become authors and politicians. Magic Johnson, native of Lansing, Michigan, retired NBA player, owns a chain of Movie Theatres. Detrick Haddon, of Detroit, Michigan, Gospel/Comtemporary Recording Artist, is a Movie Producer. And Charles Pugh, former News Anchor, now turned Politician is, Detroit City Council President.

Instead of changing careers, think of this concept as expanding your reach.

Seven Strategies for Career Changers

Learn everything you can on your current job. You might not like all task that are handed to you, but if the task is something new, make sure you learn it the best you can.

Update your resume every year. A resume should be updated at least once a year, and more often if you have changed jobs or you educational experience has changed. Basically, you want to add any significant changes.

Get training. Continue to get training on something that will help you advance in the career of your choice.

Upload your resume. Upload your resume to a reputable site. Think about posting your resume on a site that is not so popular, because the competition is heavy. Less competitive job sites are the ones directly linked to your field of interest.

Sign up for Social Media sites. This is huge, Social Media is the place to be today: Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter, are the major sights to be on. All these sites are free to join, and it only takes minutes to get started.

Give yourself six months to one year to change careers. Changing careers can take some time, so be patient. After you change careers, give yourself additional time, maybe a year, to prove yourself.

Think long-term. Take a job with the intention to make it a career and see youself doing it for at least four years.